The Alabama High School Athletic Association (AHSAA) has outlined a new five-day schedule pilot for the 2026 high school football and flag football championships at Hancock Whitney Stadium in Mobile. Special updates include a potential rebranding of the championship name, as current branding "Super 7" no longer reflects the addition of private school classes. The new format kicks off with flag football championships on Tuesday, Dec. 1, followed by padded football playoffs across four consecutive days from Wednesday to Saturday.

By the Numbers
  • The flag football championships will take place from 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. on Tuesday, Dec. 1.
  • The padded football playoffs feature two championship games daily at 11 a.m. and 7 p.m. from Wednesday to Saturday.
Yes, But

While the revised format and potential rebranding were discussed, no official actions have yet been taken on changing the championship name from "Super 7." This leaves unanswered questions about community reception and future plans.

State of Play
  • The AHSAA moved from a four-day to a five-day championship pilot to accommodate a broader range of classifications.
  • The dissolution of the 7A classification and introduction of new classifications for private schools has begun reshaping the championship landscape.
What's Next

As the pilot progresses, AHSAA is likely to gather feedback on the new structure, which may inform long-term decisions regarding the championship format and potential rebranding efforts.

Bottom Line

The AHSAA鈥檚 new five-day championship model aims to improve inclusivity and engagement, reflecting evolving dynamics in high school sports while addressing the complexities of school classifications.